Thursday, May 1, 2014

Today I had the opportunity to speak with the founder of Blank Slate Brewing Company, Scott LaFollette. Their much anticipated tap room has been on my mind for quite a while now. I wanted to know if he would be willing to give me a quick update on how things are going. Scott was kind enough to give me a minute of his time.

So how are things coming along for you guys?
Things are going great its been a long and winding road. We ran into some crap with the city, but things are on track. Just yesterday we took possession of the extra space we need for the new tap room.

This is really exciting for a lot of people, do you guys plan on having a grand opening event or a special brew for the occasion? I don't know if we will really plan anything big. We aren't too big on the whole pomp and circumstance. We will be brewing some different things. The plan is to have 8-10 taps and keep 2-3 of those taps for exclusive and experimental beers. As far as a grand opening, I don't see us doing anything like that. Just a small humble tap room where people can come and drink great beer. We will definitely get the word out to people.

Shroominous is one of the most unique beers that Cincinnati has to offer. Any plans to create beers that follow that idea? Absolutely. We haven't fully cracked that iceberg but we do have plans for some very unique beers. Those beers tend to be hard to push out into the market place. So, the tap room will give us an opportunity to get feed back on those beers. Its always been our M.O to stay away from the ultra traditional styles of beer. If you go to the store and there are ten different kinds of one specific style, and those breweries are doing them really well, what's the point in making it eleven? We like to play between the lines of style. Shroominous was a culinary inspired brew and we have plans for many more culinary inspired beers.

What does your timeline look like for the opening of the tap room? We've still got a few months to go before everything will be ready. I don't really know which direction we will go in as far as décor or atmosphere. It'll probably be me finding things and just saying "Oh, I like that. Lets put that in there."

I really appreciate Scott taking the time to talk to me today. I've got a soft spot for the unassuming tap room and breweries. They feel much more intimate and creative. I don't know if you feel the same way, but I like walking into a brewery and having the chance to meet the people behind the beer I'm drinking. I like walking in a second time and having someone remember my name or face. I have a feeling Blank Slate is going to be a lot like that. It'll be a home away from home. If you get the chance to meet Scott, you'll notice he seems very laid back and relaxed, until you ask him about the beer they brew. The passion for his beer was pouring through the phone. The excitement in his voice when speaking about what is in store for Cincinnati beer drinkers makes you wonder what this man has up his sleeves. Some clever, unique and delicious beers no doubt. Here's a quick beer list courtesy of their website. www.BlankSlateBeer.com

Belgian Table Beer

ABV 4.2%OG 1.043

IBU 20SRM 11

India White Ale

ABV 6.5%OG 1.060

IBU 70SRM 4

Crisp Wheat Ale

ABV 5.4%OG 1.050

IBU 26SRM 3

Brown Ale with Shiitake Mushroom

ABV 8.0%OG 1.074

IBU 52SRM 18

Saison

ABV 7.4%OG 1.062

IBU 18SRM 3

Cherrywood Smoked Porter

ABV 5.4%OG 1.053

IBU 33SRM 21

India Amber Ale

ABV 6.8%OG 1.065

IBU 70SRM 15

Rye Saison with Peppercorn

ABV 8.0%OG 1.067

IBU 27SRM 4

American Session Ale

ABV 4.2%OG 1.044

IBU 45SRM 11

Blank Slate has already contributed so much to the Cincinnati beer scene. They've earned their place amongst the greats and soon we'll have a place where we can always have their beer on draft, get drunk, and get on Scott's nerves. It's all very exciting.

1 comment:

You don't seem like jerks at all. That's cool.Thanks for the info. on Blank Slate. I got in touch with Scott before moving here, last summer. He seemed cool. Told me he had no taproom and it would probably be some time before one ever happened if at all. SO psyched about this! I've bicycled to all the Cincy brewery taprooms (except Celar Dewller and Mt. Carmel, as there are no reasonably safe routes there). Thanks again for the writeup!